Blue Jays Call Up CJ Van Eyk as Yesavage Stumble Strains Pitching Depth

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Trey Yesavage #39 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on after game five of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Despite entering the season with ample starting depth, the Toronto Blue Jays have been forced to constantly shuffle their rotation due to significant injuries to pitchers such as Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber.

That instability resurfaced last week when a shortened outing from a young starter just before the All-Star break left the club scrambling to cover innings.

With the bullpen depleted ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the San Diego Padres, Toronto promoted right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Triple-A Buffalo for a potential major-league debut. In a corresponding move, right-hander Chad Dallas was optioned to the Bisons.

“Welcome to the show, CJ Van Eyk,” Sportsnet reported. “The Toronto Blue Jays selected the right-handed pitcher for the MLB roster and he will be active Sunday against the San Diego Padres.”

The move came less than 24 hours after Toronto required extensive relief work in an 8-7 loss to San Diego on Saturday, when starter Trey Yesavage lasted just 1 2/3 innings in a setback for his return to form.

“Trey Yesavage lasted only 1 2/3 innings in Saturday’s 8-7 Jays loss to San Diego, and while Dallas wasn’t one of the four relievers who picked up the slack, Van Eyk’s selection brings a fresh arm into the bullpen,” Mark Polishuk wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “The 27-year-old Van Eyk will be making his Major League debut whenever he appears in a game.”

Although Van Eyk is not a direct replacement for Yesavage in the rotation, the Blue Jays turned to the unproven right-hander to provide innings flexibility. He did not appear in Sunday’s game.

Van Eyk’s call-up caps a lengthy developmental journey that began when the Blue Jays selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

“Van Eyk, 27, was selected as a second-rounder by the Blue Jays in the 2020 draft,” Sportsnet noted. “The Tampa, Fla., native has spent the 2024 season with the Triple-A Bisons, pitching 78.1 innings over 17 games (13 starts). Van Eyk has held a 3.79 ERA in that span, allowing 33 earned runs on 56 strikeouts and 25 walks.”

Those numbers convinced the organization he was ready for his first opportunity at the highest level, particularly given the pressing need for innings before the All-Star break. The promotion also signals the club’s confidence that Van Eyk can contribute immediately, even in a relief role rather than as a starter.

For a pitcher who has spent five years navigating the Blue Jays’ farm system, Sunday’s selection represents a significant career milestone. With Yesavage’s early exit forcing a reevaluation of the pitching staff, Van Eyk now has a chance to establish himself as a reliable option as Toronto heads into the second half of the season.

Source link